Parallel to USA

Romans 1

18 For there is revealed wrath of God from heaven upon all impiety, and unrighteousness of men holding the truth in unrighteousness.

19 Because what is known of God is manifest among them, for God has manifested it to them,

20 -- for from the world's creation the invisible things of him are perceived, being apprehended by the mind through the things that are made, both his eternal power and divinity, -- so as to render them inexcusable.

21 Because, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but fell into folly in their thoughts, and their heart without understanding was darkened:

22 professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of an image of corruptible man and of birds and quadrupeds and reptiles.

24 Wherefore God gave them up also in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, to dishonour their bodies between themselves:

25 who changed the truth of God into falsehood, and honoured and served the creature more than him who had created it, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile lusts; for both their females changed the natural use into that contrary to nature;

27 and in like manner the males also, leaving the natural use of the female, were inflamed in their lust towards one another; males with males working shame, and receiving in themselves the recompense of their error which was fit.

28 And according as they did not think good to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind to practise unseemly things;

29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil dispositions; whisperers,

30 back-biters, hateful to God, insolent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 void of understanding, faithless, without natural affection, unmerciful;

32 who knowing the righteous judgment of God, that they who do such things are worthy of death, not only practise them, but have fellow delight in those who do them. Doesn't this sound like the leadership of this country?  We have elevated ourselves above Jehovah   Where is the humility.  I see only arrogance  and selfishness and greed played out on the common people. Understand that verse 18 explains beforehand about Jehovah's  wrath.  We would do well to heed this warning Allen

Nationalism over Holiness

I am as great a patriot for this country as anyone.  I am even still a patriot for the great Confederate States of America.  When we began over 200 years ago, what were the ideals and morality of this country?  Where are we now?

Psalms 119

9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed [thereto] according to thy word.

10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

12 Blessed [art] thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.

13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as [much as] in all riches.

15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

These are the words we should be celebrating but only if this is our desire.
We as a nation started great, but now look where we are.
This time of year we will celebrate our country, but what are we now celebrating.
We have become very immoral yet in our churches we will talk of  all our virtues.
In a few weeks we will talk about how we need to pray for leaders and of revival needed in this land.
Somehow we will raise the national flag over and higher than the banner of Christ.
We will accept immorality and ignore Holiness.

As a Christian, should not the banner of Christ be flown higher than any national banner?
Allen

WORLD | If Platt's Radical was radical | Anthony Bradley | May 12, 2010

WORLD | If Platt's Radical was radical | Anthony Bradley | May 12, 2010

I agree.  Purpose Driven has the same ideology.
Allen

WORLD | John Piper on homosexuality | John Piper | April 13, 2013

WORLD | John Piper on homosexuality | John Piper | April 13, 2013

EUTOPIA and UTOPIA

Eu·to·pi·a           " Dictionary.com"

1.a place in which human society, natural conditions, etc., are so ideally perfect that there is complete contentment.

2. Utopia.The state of Eutpoia

Is it not interesting that in order to acheive Utopia those seeking that state will lie, cheat, steal, murder, covet, harm, revel, etc...
So it is you have to violate the definition to gain it.
This is the ultimate "the end is justified by the means to aquire it".
Heaven will be Utopia but we do not have to violate GOD's commandments to obtain it. We only need to receive the atoinment for sin.

Achiever vs Non-Achiever

I have observed my generation and other generations older and younger. One thing that I have noticed is the desire to.... On the part of a particular generation.  The conclusion that I came to was there were achievers and non-achievers.  Proverbs labels them as diligent or slothful.  This current generation tends to be non-achievers; they have no motivation to complete a task from start to finish.
They do not want to learn how best to do the task, they just do the task somewhat like the Borg of Star Trek.  These are just assimilated into the culture with no independent thinking required.  (This will pave the way for Socialism, Marxism, or Communism).  I do not know how you convince a non-achiever to become an achiever.
How do we train these to become Achievers?

Team vs Synergy

We all know what team work is.  Can you have team without synergy?  Sure you can.

According to Wikipedia 

Synergy is two or more things functioning together to produce a result not independently obtainable. The term synergy comes from theGreek word synergia συνεργία from synergos, συνεργός, meaning "working together".^{[1]
I work on a team with my job; there is no synergy.  I have worked on a team at my church; there was no synergy.
Why? you may ask. 
I'll tell you......
Team work is one thing; all have the same goal but getting there is indivudialzed.
Synergy is team work towards the same goal but the goal is accomplished with communication.
Take a Football team.  You have talented players, all with specific skills.  Those teams that focus on those specific skills individually do not win often. Those teams that individually communicate with each other often excel (synergy).
In our churches we have individual persons trying to accomplish one goal.  Often though, those team members at the top are ok with synergy as long as it is done their way.  Competition gets in the way of true synergy.
I have seen this up close and personal.
What could we have accomplished if we allowed each skill set to do what it does best and worked together (synergy) to meet the one goal?
There is too much competition for recognition.
Allen}